Living while conserving: Inter-institutional Exchanges Around Sustainable Balance Between Biodiversity Conservation and Human Development

Lorena Piedrahita

Despite being one of the regions with the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is particularly vulnerable to the global effects of climate change due to a lack of mitigation, adaptation, and response mechanisms to natural risks, coupled with the increasing frequency and severity of natural events. The absence of effective governance and response strategies exacerbates the situation. With nearly 25% of its population living in rural areas, reliance on natural resources and forests creates a tension between survival, human development, and environmental conservation. According to FAO, the region has nearly 860 million hectares of forests—832 million in South America, 22 million in Central America, and 6 million in the Caribbean (FAO, 2009). Deforestation is a growing concern, with 138 million hectares lost between 1990 and 2020 (ECLAC, 2021).

In response, communities, institutions, governments, and businesses have started implementing sustainability criteria for forest management. However, forests are the livelihoods of these communities, and simply restoring and conserving them is not sustainable for their short-term income and quality of life. Thus, sustainable forest management projects focus on preserving forests while also generating sustainable resources for local families.

To address this challenge, there are successful examples of sustainable forest management that allow for responsible use of forests and serve as models for other communities and governments. This Open Format Session aims to share these experiences and foster multi-stakeholder discussions on achieving a sustainable balance between forest conservation and human development. The primary goal is to establish a baseline for future recommendations and actions for the restoration and conservation of strategic socio-ecological systems.

Thus, the session aims to:


Identify synergies and points of convergence between initiatives from different countries, incorporating an intersectional approach (GEDSI) to address local community needs.
Discuss tools for strengthening capacities and making informed, effective decisions regarding conservation with a focus on human well-being and development.
Analyze the coordination needs and strategies for local, regional, and global actors, strengthening governance and capacities to promote commitments and collaboration around conservation and sustainable development.
Reflect on lessons learned and best practices in restoration and conservation projects to guide future initiatives.